Meet the SPOT Team

At SPOT, our team is as passionate as they come. We’re a mix of speech pathologists, occupational therapists, educators, and behavioural specialists who live and breathe helping children reach their potential. Each of us brings unique skills (and a touch of creativity) to the table, making sure therapy is not only effective but also fun and engaging.

Here’s your chance to meet the friendly faces you’ll see around the clinic.

Lucy Horne

Founder & Speech Pathologist

Lucy is a dual-qualified speech pathologist and special education teacher with Master’s degrees in Speech Pathology and Special & Inclusive Education. Her combined expertise allows her to deliver tailored, impactful support to clients of all ages.

As a mum to a child with complex communication needs, Lucy’s passion for supporting neurodiverse children is deeply personal. Her hands-on experience with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) drives her mission to empower kids and their families.

With the perspective of both a parent and a teacher, Lucy understands the challenges communication difficulties can bring at home and in the classroom. She thrives on collaboration, sharing strategies that make a real difference for children, families, and educators.

Lucy’s therapy sessions are client-led, neuro-affirming, and built around meaningful, achievable goals. Her approach blends movement and creativity to create empowering, personalised experiences.

An advocate for equitable access to education, Lucy’s ultimate goal is to help families raise joyful, curious, and remarkable individuals.

Megan O’Connor

Occupational Therapist

Megan is a skilled and passionate Occupational Therapist who has recently returned to her roots in Deniliquin. With a specialization in pediatric occupational therapy, Megan brings a wealth of knowledge and a genuine dedication to supporting children and their families.

Her expertise shines through in both our programs of support and one-on-one therapy sessions, where she works closely with clients to help them achieve their goals and unlock their full potential. Megan’s approach is warm, empathetic, and tailored to each child’s unique strengths and needs, ensuring that every step of the journey is both empowering and meaningful.

We’re thrilled to have Megan as part of our team, and we know her skills and compassionate approach will make a positive impact on the lives of the families we support.

Laura Kerlin

Speech Pathologist

Laura graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Health Science and Masters in Speech Pathology in 2014. Since then, Laura has enjoyed working across a wide range of paediatric services to support children with their communication needs. 

In recent years, Laura’s focus has been in the early intervention space, with experience in areas including community health, school readiness programs, NDIS and school based supports. Laura’s areas of particular interest are supporting children with speech sound disorders, speech delays, language development, stuttering and AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication supports). Laura also has experience supporting children with their social language skills. 

In her spare time, Laura is a farm girl at heart with wide array of animals including horses, dogs, sheep and calves. She is also a very keen runner! Laura is dedicated to supporting rural and regional families to access evidence based speech pathology, and has a passion for working with country kids! 

Anna Atkinson

Occupational Therapist

Anna is an experienced Occupational Therapist who balances her professional expertise with life on her family farm near Finley, NSW. Working both in-clinic and remotely, Anna offers rural families practical and functional therapy goals that fit seamlessly into their daily lives. Her commitment to helping bush kids reach their full potential is at the heart of everything she does.

Anna is available for comprehensive assessments and plays a key role in overseeing programs. Her ability to combine a deep understanding of rural life with evidence-based therapy ensures that families receive support that is both effective and relatable.

Anna’s dedication, resourcefulness, and passion for empowering children make her an invaluable member of our team. We’re proud to have Anna on board, bringing her unique perspective and unwavering commitment to the families she supports.

Fiona Waters

Behaviour Specialist & Educator

Fiona is a familiar face in the Deniliquin community, known for her dedication to improving literacy and behaviour outcomes for children, adolescents, and adults. With over 25 years of experience as a qualified primary educator, Fiona has made a lasting impact through her tailored intervention programs.

She is a specialist in supporting children and adults with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), along with their parents and carers. Fiona works collaboratively with families to develop practical strategies that promote understanding, regulation, and everyday success.

Her impressive credentials include a Master’s degree in Learning Support, Experience in using the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) approach, Completion of the Paediatric Professional Education Series (RCH) and ongoing studies toward a diploma in counselling with AIPC.

As an Additional Needs teacher, Assistant Principal, and mum to children with additional needs, Fiona brings unmatched insight and empathy to her work. Her experience helps her create practical, meaningful strategies that support clients and families in reaching their educational, workplace and emotional goals.

Fiona’s mission is simple: to empower clients and their families with the tools and confidence they need to thrive.

Alice McMahon

Early Childhood Specialist

Alice brings a wealth of knowledge and heart to her role as an educator and therapist, holding dual degrees in Teaching and Speech & Hearing Science. With extensive experience supporting children with speech delays, neurodiversity, and physical challenges, she understands the unique struggles families face—especially in rural and remote areas where access to allied health services can be limited.

Alice is passionate about creating environments where every child feels supported and valued. She champions child-led, play-based, and neuro-affirming approaches, working closely with families to build meaningful connections and empower them on their child’s communication journey.

Alice isn’t just a whiz with children—she’s also the clinic’s go-to IT and gadget guru. Got a tech problem? Alice will solve it!

With her unwavering dedication to inclusivity and innovation, Alice is committed to helping families and children thrive.

Cathy Bliss

Early Childhood Key Worker

Cathy joins the DeniSPOT team as an Early Childhood Key Worker, bringing over two decades of teaching experience in local schools. With a Bachelor of Teaching and a deep commitment to supporting young children and their families, Cathy brings a warm, practical, and experienced perspective to early intervention services. Her passion for working with children in their formative years has led her to specialise in the early childhood space, where she supports the development of foundational skills for learning, play, and social connection.

In her role, Cathy collaborates closely with speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and other clinicians who guide therapy planning. She acts as the central contact for families, helping to bring therapy goals to life through engaging, play-based sessions. Cathy delivers one-to-one sessions both in schools and in the DeniSPOT clinic, supporting each child’s growth in a familiar and supportive environment. Her strong relationships with families, educators, and clinicians make her a trusted and valued part of the DeniSPOT team.

Lucy Cleary

Lead Allied Health Assistant

Lucy is a vibrant and dedicated Allied Health Assistant who brings energy and enthusiasm to our team every day. She facilitates our FLEX and BOUNCE programs of support every day of the week! 

She also provides one-on-one sessions using programs such as including Social Stencil, Zones of Regulation, Expanding Expression and Talk About. She excels at supporting clients to feel comfortable and safe to explore the dynamics of pragmatics (social communication) in engaging and supportive ways.

In her role, Lucy also supports our clinicians in delivering exceptional client care. She bridges the gap between clients and clinicians by guiding individuals through intervention activities specifically designed to meet their needs. Her ability to connect with clients and provide hands-on assistance ensures therapy sessions are both effective and enjoyable.

Lucy’s warm demeanor, coupled with her commitment to making a difference, brightens up our clinic and enriches the lives of the families we serve. We’re lucky to have Lucy as part of our team, and her contributions play a vital role in the success of our programs.

Henry Michel

Allied Health Assistant

Henry has a background in supporting young people across educational and therapeutic settings. A proud local, Henry has worked as a Student Support Officer and OOSH educator and has been a dedicated mentor with the FLEX program since its inception. 

His work through FLEX has focused on helping young people build skills in emotional regulation and social communication, with a particular emphasis on creating safe and supportive environments for teens navigating complex challenges.

Henry plays a key role in the Occupational Therapy team, delivering one-on-one sessions at Deniliquin High School and in clinic. His calm, grounded presence and relatable nature make him an ideal role model, especially for teenage boys. Henry’s country upbringing and genuine connection to the local community allow him to build strong, respectful relationships with the young people and families he supports.

Leetisha Hillier

Allied Health Assistant

Teesh is an Allied Health Assistant, renowned for her efficiency and caring nature. She is the main contact for our outreach services in Moulamein.  

What truly sets Teesh apart is her compassionate approach to her work; she always goes the extra mile to make patients feel comfortable and supported. Whether she’s assisting colleagues or interacting with families, Teesh’s genuine care creates a warm and welcoming environment that fosters trust and connection.

Her ability to balance therapy goals with kindness makes Teesh an invaluable asset to our team. We’re grateful to have her dedication and positive energy contributing to the success of our clinic.

Hayley Murray

Office Manager

Katrina Taylor

Compliance
Coordinator

Harry Hillier

FLEX Mentor

Brady Trotman

FLEX Mentor

Join Our Team at Deni SPOT!

Looking for a career where you can make a real difference? At Deni SPOT, we’re growing our team of speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and education specialists who are passionate about helping kids thrive.

Why work with us

Current openings:

Apply Now: Practice Manager

Lead our team, streamline operations, and create a smooth, welcoming client experience.

Apply Now: Occupational Therapist

Empower kids with the motor, sensory, and self-care skills they need to thrive.

Apply Now: Speech Pathologist

Help children develop speech, language, and communication skills in a supportive, play-based environment.

Unlock Your Child's Potential

Explore our clinic, specialised programs, and family support services tailored to empower children of all abilities. Discover how we can make a difference in your child’s journey.

Download: Unlock Your Child's Potential

Explore our clinic, specialised programs, and family support services tailored to empower children of all abilities. Discover how we can make a difference in your child's journey.